The 32-year-old now leads a company valued at US$1.4 billion, according to Forbes, and is gearing up for a significant expansion with a 13,000-square-foot flagship store in New York in the U.S.
“I love New York … it’s the perfect place for Gymshark and I’m honoured to call it our North American home,” he told the New York Post newspaper in a recent interview.
“We have to be successful in the U.S. in order for us to be successful around the world.”
Here are some facts about the young entrepreneur, as reported by South China Morning Post.
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Ben Francis, CEO of Gymshark. Photo via Instagram/benfrancis |
He founded Gymshark as a teenager
Ben Francis attended South Bromsgrove High School in Birmingham. By 18 he had already experimented with several unsuccessful business ventures.
A fitness enthusiast, he came up with the idea for Gymshark in 2012 to enhance his own workout experience.
That year, at 19, he teamed up with a friend to start the brand in his family’s garage. At the time he was earning a living as a pizza delivery boy, according to Forbes.
The New York Post said he turned to his grandmother for assistance with sewing the initial clothing items.
The company gained traction steadily, thanks to the backing of social media influencers, some of whom received equity stakes early on, incentivizing their efforts to boost the brand.
Gymshark now has offices in Birmingham, London and New York.
Its largest markets are the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Lover of motorcycles
Beyond his role at Gymshark, Francis has a love for motorcycles and boasts an impressive collection, featuring models like the Thornton Hundred.
His taste for luxury extends to travel as well, with trips to high-end destinations.
Cocaine-related controversy
In 2020 a video surfaced online showing Francis snorting cocaine with friends.
Addressing the incident he issued an apology, saying: “Four years ago I was a young guy. I got caught up in a moment and made a stupid mistake that I massively regret.
“It was a mistake I learned from. I’ll continue to dedicate myself to learning from the people around me and work towards becoming the best version of myself.”
Family man
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Ben Francis and his wife Robin. Photo via Instagram/benfrancis |
Francis tied the knot with Robin Gallant, a Canadian fitness YouTuber, in September 2021.
Their story began at a fitness expo in Canada, where Francis invited her to join Gymshark as a brand ambassador.
Their professional connection soon turned personal, and Gallant relocated to Britain to be with him. The couple had twin boys in Dec 2022.
